NASCAR announced today a change in the restictor plate Sprint Cup teams will use in the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona next month. Many speculate the change is a temporary one.

The rule change allows larger 1 1/32-inch size openings to be used for the first time in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition since 1988, the year NASCAR originally mandated use of restictor plates at Daytona and Talladega.

"We think this will be a needed boost due to the additional drag we've picked up since switching from a rear wing to a rear spoiler,'' said NASCAR VP of Competition Robin Pemberton in a prepared statement released by NASCAR.

MWR driver David Reutimann shared his comments regarding the change in restrictor plates after NASCAR made the announcement earlier Monday.

"I think a bigger plate is a good change. I know that NASCAR has put a lot of thought into that stuff. We are talking about very, very small changes. We're not talking about going from one inch to two inch.  Anytime the plate gets bigger the horsepower goes up - and I'm a fan of that. With the new configuration of the spoiler on the back I think it's a good fit for what we're trying to do."

With the cars producing more horsepower, hardcore race fans should see a competitive event. The Daytona 500 featured 52 lead changes among 21 drivers in February.

"The upcoming Coke Zero 400 has the potential to be one of the most competitive races in track history," Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. "Having a larger size restrictor plate will give the stars of NASCAR even more horsepower to showcase a thrilling competitive race that our fans have come to expect at Daytona."

The 2.5 mile Daytona International Speedway is scheduled to be repaved after the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola fueling speculation NASCAR will switch back to a smaller restictor plate for the 2011 Daytona 500.

The Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola will run Saturday, July 3, 2010 at 7:30 pm ET.

 MORE NASCAR NEWS